Haunted by Tokyo cult

Shoko Asahara, the man convicted of masterminding the gas attack on the Tokyo underground in 1995 may soon be executed. But the group he set up, Aum Shinrikyo, still exists and 11 years on, many people in the capital continue to live in fear.

Imagine what it is like to live next door to an organisation that a few years ago launched a chemical attack on your own city.

The residents of a quiet street in downtown Tokyo where what is left of the former Aum Shinrikyo cult lives, know just how frightening it is.

As you approach the cult headquarters you see long white banners reading “Get out of here Aum”.

Before you can go inside, a policeman checks your bags.

The neighbourhood watch lady wants to know what you are up to. It is all rather sinister.

And yet when you meet the cult members they are quietly spoken, friendly and rather disarming.